Pregnant Lagos businesswoman’s corpse found in bathroom (Punch)
The husband, children and neighbours of a pregnant woman, Ramota Raheem, have been left in shock after discovering her remains in the bathroom of her apartment in the Agboju-Satellite Town area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Ramota’s children left her at home to a destination in the area, but on returning in the evening, they met the door of their apartment bolted from the back.
Efforts by the children and neighbours to get Ramota to open the door proved abortive as several shouts of her name were unanswered. Read more
Motorists groan over alternative routes as road construction begins on Isolo road (Guardian)
With the ongoing roadwork on Aiye junction and Isolo-Mushin road, motorists and road users have complained about alternative routes and the increasing traffic on the routes.
While speaking with The Guardian, a tricycle rider, Charles Sunday said: “The stress has been much on us and it has not been good for the business. And we can’t bear it anymore. Since morning we have been struggling. But we know that it is for a while and for our own good. Some passengers trek from Mushin down to Iyana Isolo to this spot to get keke and that has been quite stressful.
Ismaila Tahoree said: “We have been managing. Before the construction, we drove straight from Gate to Iyana Isolo but now for those coming from 5 Star, they will take Olushola Farombi down to college.
Another road user, Razaq added that those going to Mushin or Iyana Isolo usually ply Lamina Lawal Street, then Aswani and navigate out from 5 Star. Read more
Man arrested for defrauding Bureau De Change operator of $10k (Punch)
One Lukman Adeshina has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly defrauding a Bureau De Change operator of $10,000.
It was gathered that Adeshina was arrested on April 14, 2021, in the Ipaja-Ayobo area of Lagos State after one Isa Mohammed approached the anti-graft agency to make a complaint against him.
Mohammed, according to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, alleged that a BDC operator, Bashir Isa, sometime in March 2020 approached him with an offer to sell $10,000, while he would pay the naira equivalent of the dollars to him. Read more
Lack of transparency in procurement process dissuade investors from Fourth Mainland Bridge, says Lagos government (Guardian)
Lagos State Government, yesterday, said that lack of transparency in the procurement process for Fourth Mainland Bridge was why the project failed to attract investors before now.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, who disclosed this during the yearly ministerial press briefing to mark the second year anniversary of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said preferred and reserved bidders for the 38-kilometre bridge would be announced in December 2021 among the six investors that had been shortlisted.
She said that all preliminary stages were being concluded to lead to short-listing of six firms from the over 32 that expressed interest in the project. Read more
Gunmen in shooting spree in Imo (Leadership)
Gunshots were heard in the popular Ama Hausa Area in Owerri, the Imo capital, a settlement occupied mostly by northerners in the state.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender and Vulnerable Groups – Northern Affairs Suleiman Ibrahim confirmed this through a telephone call with newsmen in Owerri.
Suleiman said that anxiety gripped residents when unknown gunmen attacked the large settlement releasing gunshots.
He added that no casualties were recorded as residents were already in their abodes before the arrival of the gunmen. Read more
Channels TV: NUJ kicks, says NBC threat outrageous (Punch)
The Nigeria Union of Journalists on Tuesday called on the National Broadcasting Commission to be circumspect and exercise more restraint in dealing with perceived infringements by broadcast stations in the country.
The union was responding to the reported directive by the NBC to Channels TV to stop a major evening programme, Politics Today, after featuring the spokesperson of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Emma Powerful.
The National President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, in a statement titled, ‘NBC should exercise more caution’, demanded that the threat of N5m imposition on Channels TV was outrageous. Read more
Police confirm 1 death, burning of station in Sokoto (Leadership)
The Police in Sokoto State yesterday confirmed the death of one person, burning of a divisional police station and two vehicles in Kware local government area of the state.
Spokesman for the police in the state, ASP Abubakar Sanusi, said this was after a mob came to the station demanding the release of two suspected kidnappers.
Sanusi said that the suspects were earlier arrested and being investigated for their alleged involvement in kidnapping in the area. Read more
Police kill motorcyclist in Osun (DailyTrust)
Some policemen at Kajola-Osunjela road in Osogbo, Osun State have killed a motorcyclist identified as Taiwo Kajogbola for refusing to stop at the checkpoint.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Osun State command, Yemisi Opalola, told Daily Trust yesterday that the incident would be investigated thoroughly.
It was gathered that the deceased, who was riding a motorcycle to take some foodstuff to his parents to break their fasting. Read more
Tough times ahead for states as FG insists on bailout repayment (Guardian)
Like a repeat of the 2016 and 2018 era when many states were unable to pay salaries and the Federal Government also got financially strained from paying subsidies, a new rift is set to occur over plans by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to recover N614 billion budget support facility (BSF) advanced to states, amid dwindling revenues and continued payment of subsidies on fuel and electricity.
The Federal Government, which had earlier planned to recover the funds in 2019 before the pandemic, now hopes to start deductions from states for repayment of the budget support facility next month, amid already strained relationship from deficit financing, shortfalls in its Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) and its inability to sustain subsidy payments.
If the deductions commence, many states, who were unable to increase their internally generated revenues, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as a result of the pandemic, may begin to default in payment of salaries, reflecting a repeat of 2016 where nearly two-thirds of the 36 states struggled to pay civil servants’ salaries despite receiving a government bailout. Read more
Vax Live: Harry and Meghan to join Covid vaccine concert (BBC)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will appear at a star-studded concert aimed at increasing access to Covid vaccines.
The couple were announced as campaign chairs of the Vax Live event, organised by anti-poverty group Global Citizen.
US President Joe Biden will also appear at the concert, which is being hosted by pop star Selena Gomez.
“We will all benefit, we will all be safer, when everyone, everywhere has equal access to the vaccine,” Harry and Meghan said. Read more
Meth lab ‘producing £10,000,000 of drugs per month’ found in raid on farm (Metro)
An industrial scale meth lab thought to be producing up to £10million worth of amphetamine each month has been uncovered during a police raid on a farm in Worcestershire. Four men and a woman, aged between 28 and 60, were arrested in connection with the raid on farm buildings on Ullenhall Lane, near Redditch, on Tuesday. Firefighters and chemical experts were also drafted in to assist as the farm building itself is too hazardous for police to enter. Footage of the interior has been sent off to scientists for analysis. Read more
US Covid-19 guidance: Fully vaccinated people do not need masks outside (BBC)
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that fully vaccinated Americans do not need to wear a mask when they are outdoors.
Those who have received all required jabs can ditch their face coverings if alone or in small groups of vaccinated people, the new guidelines say.
But the CDC left in place its guidance to don a mask indoors and in crowded settings or venues.
Over 95 million Americans have been fully vaccinated thus far. Read more
Britney Spears requests to address the court directly in ongoing conservatorship case (Metro)
Britney Spears is set to address the court in her ongoing conservatorship case, according to reports. The singer, 39, has been under conservatorship since 2008 following her public breakdown the year before, and has asked for her father to be removed as co-conservator. Britney’s lawyer, Samuel D Ingham III, said she wants to address the court directly, it has been claimed. Judge Brenda Penny, sitting at the Los Angeles Superior Court, has set a status hearing for June 23, but it is not known whether Britney would attend in person on via a video link. Read more
Australian jailed for filming dying officers (BBC)
An Australian man has received a 10-month jail sentence for filming and mocking police officers as they lay dying at a crash scene.
Last month Richard Pusey pleaded guilty to the rare charge of outraging public decency, as well as drug and other offences.
The 42-year-old has already been in custody for nearly 300 days, so he is likely to complete his sentence next week.
His case has stirred huge public anger. Read more
Enchanted sequel casts villains Maya Rudoph, Yvette Nicole Brown and Jayma Mays (Metro)
The Enchanted sequel is reported to have cast its villains – Bridemaids and SNL favourite Maya Rudolph, Community star Yvette Nicole Brown, and Glee star Jayma Mays. We’re already sold on this dream team. While reports of a sequel to the 2007 Disney flick have been circulating since 2016, this one, titled Disenchanted, was announced in December, with it slated to be released on Disney Plus. Amy Adams, Idina Menzel and James Marsden are also set to reprise their roles as Giselle, Nancy and Prince Edward. Read more
Brexit: Tensions overshadow EU vote on UK trade deal (BBC)
The European Parliament is expected to ratify the post-Brexit EU-UK trade deal – a key move to ensure that tariff-and quota-free trade continues.
The Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) has been operating provisionally since January. MEPs voted on Tuesday and a result is due on Wednesday.
Brexit tensions remain, including a French threat of “reprisals” against the UK over new fishing restrictions.
Northern Ireland trade is also a thorny issue. Read more
I’m 100% sure of winning Olympic medal – Adekuoroye (Punch)
Nigerian wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye, says she is confident of winning a medal for the country at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The Olympics, which was originally scheduled for July 24 to August 9, 2020 was postponed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, and will now hold from July 23 to August 8, 2021.
African champion Adekuoroye is a beneficiary of the Adopt-An-Athlete initiative of the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, and is hopeful having got the desired support from the ministry and preparing under the conditions for the Tokyo Games.
“I’m preparing well, focused and ready to do the needful that will place me on the podium at the Olympics. I’m ready and working hard on the weak areas, while also strengthening the strong ones,” Adekuoroye told The PUNCH. Read more
Benzema stunner earns Real Madrid draw against Chelsea (BBC)
Chelsea produced a composed performance to secure a fully deserved draw and a crucial away goal to put themselves in a promising position after their Champions League semi-final first leg against Real Madrid.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were superior on the night and might even regard themselves as unfortunate not to take an advantage into the return at Stamford Bridge in eight days’ time as they set their sights on a final date against either Manchester City or Paris St-Germain in Istanbul on 29 May.
Chelsea over-ran Madrid in the early stages and should have taken the lead when Timo Werner shot straight at keeper Thibaut Courtois from only six yards – but they were ahead after only 14 minutes when Christian Pulisic kept. Read more
Arsene Wenger says Chelsea face ‘psychological problem’ after Real Madrid draw (Metro)
Arsene Wenger believes Chelsea face a ‘psychological problem’ ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid next week. Christian Pulisic’s superb solo goal put Chelsea in front in the first leg on Tuesday evening but Karim Benzema’s equaliser from close range sealed a 1-1 draw for Madrid. Chelsea will now host Madrid in the return leg at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday. And Wenger believes Thomas Tuchel needs every player to follow a strict game plan in order for Chelsea to reach the final. Read more
Wimbledon to scrap middle Sunday from 2022 and hopes for at least 25% fans in 2021 (BBC)
Wimbledon will abandon its traditional rest day on the middle Sunday of the tournament from 2022.
The Grand Slam will instead be played over 14 consecutive days, with All England Lawn Tennis Club chairman Ian Hewitt saying this was possible because of better grass-court maintenance.
Organisers also revealed they are hoping to have fans at a minimum of 25% capacity this year.
Ticket prices will stay at 2020 levels, with prize money yet to be decided. Read more
Tyson Fury launches astonishing attack on Eddie Hearn for failing to promote Billy Joe Saunders ahead of Canelo clash (Metro)
Tyson Fury has launched an expletive-ridden attack on promoter Eddie Hearn, accusing the Matchroom chief of failing to correctly promote Billy Joe Saunders ahead of his showdown with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez. Saunders put his WBO super-middleweight title on the line as he attempts to become only the second person after Floyd Mayweather Jr to beat WBA and WBC champion Canelo in Texas on May 8. Long-time friends Saunders and Tyson are both in Las Vegas with the WBC heavyweight champion preparing for his heavyweight unification showdown with Anthony Joshua which is expected to take place this summer. Read more
Europa League specialist Emery threatens Arsenal’s shot at salvation (Guardian)
Arsenal is relying on Europa League success to save a sorry season, but face former manager Unai Emery with a point to prove in Thursday’s semi-final first leg against Villarreal.
Sitting 10th in the Premier League, the Gunners are on course for their worst league finish since 1995.
But Mikel Arteta’s men are also just three games away from only the club’s third-ever European trophy and a much-needed ticket back into the Champions League for the first time in five seasons.All is not well at the Emirates on or off the field. Ahead of Friday’s 1-0 defeat by Everton, thousands of fans demonstrated against Arsenal’s owner Stan Kroenke, calling on the American billionaire to sell the club following his role in a collapsed European Super League. Read more